Chapter 11

1 The destruction of Jerusalem. 3 The elect being cared for, the rest are rejected. 10 The staves of Beauty and Bands broken by the rejection of Christ. 15 The type and curse of a foolish shepherd.

1. Open thy doors. There is considerable difference of opinion as to how the symbolism of ch. 11 should be interpreted. The language is so highly figurative and the prophet has offered so little explanation that it is impossible to be dogmatic as to its teachings. Two principal views concerning it have been held: (1) That the passage is a forecast of the punishment to fall upon the Jews for their rejection of God’s leadership, especially of the Messiah. (2) That the passage is a review of Israel’s past history put into parabolic form to warn them of what future transgression might bring. The latter view is here briefly presented as illustrative of a possible interpretation. At the same time the view that the chapter is predictive—that is, insofar as it is a warning of Israel’s fate if the people reject their present and future leadership—has much to commend it.

Verses 1–3 have been variously understood. Among the views held are the following: (1) That they forecast a continuation of the desolation for some time to come before the glorious prospect of ch. 10:5–12 will be realized. (2) That they represent a warning of the punishment that will inevitably result from further disobedience and apostasy. (3) That they are a lament over the fall of Assyria and Egypt, whose humiliation was predicted in ch. 10:11. (4) That they are a review of the desolations that had already occurred and of their causes, as a warning to the present generation.

Cedars. Invasions were frequently accompanied by a wanton destruction of valuable timber. However, here, the cedar, fir (cypress), and the oak are probably used metaphorically of prominent leaders or of the nations themselves.

3. The howling of the shepherds. For comment see on ch. 10:3.

Pride. Heb. gaХon, here probably the thick growth that lined the banks of the Jordan, and that at one time was infested by lions (see on Jer. 12:5).

4. Feed. God commands the prophet, as His representative, to tend His flock.

Of the slaughter. That is, destined for slaughter. Untended, such would be the doom of the flock.

5. Possessors. That is, the evil shepherds of v. 3, who were making traffic of them and yet had the audacity to bless the Lord for their good fortune in so doing (v. 5). Blinded by their own self-interest, they did not consider themselves guilty when they sinfully mistreated the flock.

6. I will deliver.. These oppressors would be delivered into the hands of other nations, who in turn would oppress them. God holds the leaders accountable for their treatment of His children (see Isa. 10:5–7, 12; see on Dan. 4:17).

7. I will feed. Better, “I fed.”

Beauty. Heb. noФam, “friendliness,” “kindness.” The word is related to the Ugaritic nФm, meaning “grace,” that is, in the sense of “charm,” “loveliness,” NoФam occurs in the OT seven times and is translated “beauty” four times (Ps. 27:4; 90:17; Zech. 11:7, 10), “pleasant” twice (Prov. 15:26; 16:24), and “pleasantness” once (Prov. 3:17). Inasmuch as the breaking of the staff represents the breaking of the covenant (Zech. 11:10), the staff may be considered a symbol of the covenant.

Bands. Heb. chobelim, related to the word chebel, meaning “cord,” or “rope.” Hence chobelim properly represents “a union.” According to v. 14 this staff represented the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

God entered into solemn covenant relationship with His people (Ex. 19:5, 6; 24:3–8). It was His purpose that as a holy, united nation the Israelites would be a blessing in the world (see Gen. 12:2; see also pp. 27–30.) The two staves symbolized God’s gracious purposes with respect to His people.

8. Three shepherds.It is impossible with any degree of certainty to apply these to any specific individuals or offices. It appears best to understand this text in its general teaching; namely, that God delivered His people from all opposition and from oppressive leadership. He did everything possible in order that His plans with respect to Israel might succeed (see on Isa. 5:4; Zech. 10:3).

9. I will not feed you. God took this attitude when the people persistently refused to accept His leadership (see 2 Kings 18:12; 2 Chron. 36:14–16).

10. Cut it asunder. This symbolical act represented the breaking of the covenant (see on v. 7).

11. Knew. The audacious and skeptical among the people had questioned the fulfillment of the divine threats. See on Eze. 11:3 for an example of such an attitude. The fulfillment of the predictions certified the integrity of the divine word.

12. Give me my price. Speaking in the person of the Chief Shepherd, Zechariah addressed the entire flock of the Israelites, requesting of them his wages. The question highlighted the gross ingratitude of the people. The prophet left the payment of his wages to their sense of justice.

Thirty pieces of silver. Doubtless shekels are meant, making the weight (at .4 oz. avoirdupois, or 11.4 gr., per shekel) 12 oz. avoirdupois or 342 gr. (see Vol. I, p. 168). This very small amount reflected the Israelites’ contemptuous thankfulness for what God had done for them. Thirty shekels was the price of a slave (Ex. 21:32). However, the more ancient shekel differed in weight from the one in use in the time of Zechariah (see Vol. I, p. 168; see on Ex. 21:32).

For the fulfillment of vs. 12, 13 in the experience of our Lord see on Matt. 27:3–10.

13. Cast it unto the potter. The reason is not given, nor is it stated why the gift was made “in the house of the Lord.” A change of one letter in the Hebrew gives the reading “treasury” instead of “potter” (see RSV). “Treasury” is also the reading of the Syriac. Some understand the words “cast it unto the potter” as merely an expression to denote the contemptuous rejection of the “pieces of silver” when they were brought to the treasury of the Temple.

14. Cut asunder. The meaning of this symbolical act is immediately explained (see on v. 7). On the disruption of the kingdom see 1 Kings 11:26–37; 12:13–20.

15. Take unto thee. Because God’s people had rejected the Good Shepherd, Zechariah is charged (see v. 4) to assume the role and take the “instruments” of a foolish (Heb. Хewili, “awkward,” “useless”) shepherd.

16. Eat the flesh. A graphic symbolical representation of the experience that came to Israel when, having rejected God’s leadership, they forfeited the divine protection, and the nation became the prey of hostile nations.

17. Idol. Heb. Хelil, “nothingness,” “of no value.” The word frequently denotes idols. Some think the Hebrew should read Хewili, as in v. 15 (see comments there).

The sword. A solemn warning to those who assume leadership of the flock, lest they be found unfaithful to the trust committed to them.